Benoite Martin

PhD researcher at @ulsteruni : politics of education in Northeast Syria.
Syria Lead @paxforpeace.
Based in Erbil.

[Benoite Martin @BenoiteMartin]

Bye bye twitter.
You can follow me: @benoitemartin.bsky.social

[Jihad Yazigi @jihadyazigi]

In a few minutes I will enter Syria, for the first time in 13 years. The unthinkable has happened. Controlling one's emotions is difficult. The sense of guilt towards those who are no longer here, those who gave their life so that we can be here, is overwhelming.

[Louise Callaghan @louiseelisabet]

We went to Tartus, Homs and up into the mountains around the coastal areas last week. Couple of things:

[The White Helmets @SyriaCivilDef]

The #WhiteHelmets welcomed @rochdi_najat, Deputy @UNEnvoySyria, to our center in #Damascus. During the visit, we expressed our people's disappointment in the UN and international bodies for their failure to protect them. We emphasized the importance of learning from past shortcomings and called for a shift toward prioritizing people over governments. We also agreed to strengthen coordination and collaboration, particularly on the critical issue of missing persons.
#Syria

[Benoite Martin @BenoiteMartin]

The AANES has raised the revolution flag on all its institutions across NES.

[الإدارة الذاتية الديمقراطية لإقليم شمال وشرق سوريا @aanes__official]

بمناسبة انتصار إرادة السوريين وإسقاط نظام القمع، قرر مجلس الشعوب الديمقراطي رفع علم الاستقلال على جميع مؤسسات الإدارة الذاتية الديمقراطية في إقليم شمال وشرق سوريا، تأكيدًا على وحدة سوريا وهويتها الوطنية. #سوريا #الإدارة_الذاتية"

[Benoite Martin @BenoiteMartin]

Tazzur / Synergy warns that it will be challenging to launch a truely inclusive political transitional process while violence and rights violations continue at this moment to be committed in various parts and against minority communities in Syria.

[تآزر - Synergy @HevdestiSynergy]

#Save_Kobani: No to Violence, Yes to Peace

As the world urges all armed factions in #Syria to cease the escalation and engage in dialogue, the Kurdish city of #Kobani is facing a new attack by the Turkish backed factions of the Syrian National Army (#SNA).

Kobani, which became a symbol of resistance against #ISIS and sacrificed hundreds of lives in its battle against the terrorist group, is now facing new violence that threatens the security of its Kurdish residents, as well as the lives of the minorities living there, including #Yazidis and #Christians.

This attack is part of a series of ongoing assaults on #Northeastern_Syria, where Kurds, Arabs, and religious and ethnic minorities live together, in harmony. The region is also home to over a million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), including more than 100,000 displaced people in recent days from al-Shahba areas and #Tall_Rifaat in #Northern_Aleppo, who are receiving no humanitarian aid.

Two days ago, these factions launched an attack on the city of #Manbij, a city that has long been a place of coexistence for Kurds and Arabs. The attack resulted in dozens of casualties, including civilians, and led to the factions seizing control of the city, amidst severe human rights violations, particularly against Kurds.

In this critical moment, UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, stressed the need to respect International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and protect civilians, emphasising that dialogue and national unity are essential for rebuilding Syrian society.

However, our question remains: Who will stop this violence? How can the vision for a new #Syria be realized while bombing, fear, and displacement continue to be imposed on its people? The Syria we dream of cannot be built on the ruins of forced displacement and assaults, and no group or minority should live under the constant threat of fear or #forced_displacement.

A Call for Peace:
▪️To the international community: You must take action to stop this violence and end the violations and crimes against civilians.
▪️To all Syrian factions: Stop the bloodshed and move toward dialogue that restores confidence and rebuilds the nation.
▪️To all who stand for justice: Be the voices of peace, and do not allow this injustice to continue.

#Kobani, #Manbij, and all Syrian cities deserve to live in #peace! Let’s stop this violence now and build a just and safe Syria for everyone!

[تآزر - Synergy @HevdestiSynergy]

Manbij: Fielf Executions, Looting, and Displacement Without Accountability

Two days ago, factions of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) launched an attack on the city of Manbij, a place that has long brought together Kurds and Arabs. This attack, part of the military campaign called "Dawn of Freedom," resulted in the deaths of dozens, including civilians, amid rising violence and widespread human rights violations.

Synergy Association has documented a series of violations committed by the Turkish-backed armed factions, both during and following the attack on Manbij. These violations include:

▪️ Execution of Prisoners and the Wounded:
Synergy Association documented the summary execution of two wounded members of the “Manbij Military Council”, who were receiving treatment at a hospital near the Mills Roundabout. The armed factions surrounded the hospital, preventing the evacuation of the injured, before the executions were carried out. In addition, numerous detainees were summarily executed by gunfire in various locations across the city, without any form of trial or legal proceedings.

▪️Killing of Civilians and Neglect of Bodies:
The deceaseds were left in streets, with no efforts made to bury them or return them to their families. Among the victims were entire families killed inside their vehicles during the clashes, with their bodies left exposed. Witnesses also reported looting, including the theft of weapons and phones from the bodies of fighters abandoned in the streets.

▪️Ethnic Targeting and Looting of Kurdish Property:
The majority of Kurdish civilians were displaced due to fear of death and arrest, while some others remained trapped, fearing violations if they attempted to leave. The city witnessed widespread looting, targeting public institutions and private property, including homes, shops, and vehicles.

▪️Arrests and Extortion:
A large number of civilians were arrested, including men and women employees of civil institutions affiliated with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). SNA groups also raided Kurdish homes, assaulting those who remained inside. Among the raids was an attack on the home of Kurdish doctor, Ali Wali, where he and his wife were beaten, and $20,000 was stolen from their house.

▪️Chaos and Lack of Security:
The city was overwhelmed by chaos and panic, with widespread theft and violations. In response, some residents took to the streets in a desperate attempt to protect themselves and their families.

▪️A Record Fraught with Human Rights Violations:
SNA forces, leading the Operation "Dawn of Freedom", include individuals who were previously listed in U.S. Treasury Department sanctions for their involvement in human rights violations, including murder, forced disappearances, and looting. Prominent among these leaders are Abu Amsha (Mohammad al-Jassem), leader of the "Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade" (known as "al-Amshat"), and Seif Bolad (known as "Seif Abu Bakr"), leader of the al-Hamza Brigade; Both were seen in videos from the first day of the attack inside Manbij.

▪️Call for Justice and Cease the Violations:
What is happening in Manbij is not just a military clash; it is rather a severe violation of human rights, particularly targeting civilians, and paving the way for systematic #forced_displacement. These crimes demand an independent international investigation and accountability for those responsible. Protecting civilians must be an utmost priority.

The recent attack is part of a series of ongoing assaults on #Northeastern_Syria, where Kurds, Arabs, and various religious, ethnic, and national minorities live together. The region is also home to over one million Internally Displaced Persons (#IDPs).

[تآزر - Synergy @HevdestiSynergy]

#Save_Kobani: No to Violence, Yes to Peace

As the world urges all armed factions in #Syria to cease the escalation and engage in dialogue, the Kurdish city of #Kobani is facing a new attack by the Turkish backed factions of the Syrian National Army (#SNA).

Kobani, which became a symbol of resistance against #ISIS and sacrificed hundreds of lives in its battle against the terrorist group, is now facing new violence that threatens the security of its Kurdish residents, as well as the lives of the minorities living there, including #Yazidis and #Christians.

This attack is part of a series of ongoing assaults on #Northeastern_Syria, where Kurds, Arabs, and religious and ethnic minorities live together, in harmony. The region is also home to over a million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), including more than 100,000 displaced people in recent days from al-Shahba areas and #Tall_Rifaat in #Northern_Aleppo, who are receiving no humanitarian aid.

Two days ago, these factions launched an attack on the city of #Manbij, a city that has long been a place of coexistence for Kurds and Arabs. The attack resulted in dozens of casualties, including civilians, and led to the factions seizing control of the city, amidst severe human rights violations, particularly against Kurds.

In this critical moment, UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, stressed the need to respect International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and protect civilians, emphasising that dialogue and national unity are essential for rebuilding Syrian society.

However, our question remains: Who will stop this violence? How can the vision for a new #Syria be realized while bombing, fear, and displacement continue to be imposed on its people? The Syria we dream of cannot be built on the ruins of forced displacement and assaults, and no group or minority should live under the constant threat of fear or #forced_displacement.

A Call for Peace:
▪️To the international community: You must take action to stop this violence and end the violations and crimes against civilians.
▪️To all Syrian factions: Stop the bloodshed and move toward dialogue that restores confidence and rebuilds the nation.
▪️To all who stand for justice: Be the voices of peace, and do not allow this injustice to continue.

#Kobani, #Manbij, and all Syrian cities deserve to live in #peace! Let’s stop this violence now and build a just and safe Syria for everyone!

[Benoite Martin @BenoiteMartin]

While everyone is discussing Jolani, #Syria is up for graps. #Israel is rapidly expanding its presence in the South while happily pounding attack and defense capacities across Syria, #Turkey through armed groups it backs is expanding along its border with Syria towards East.

[Benoite Martin @BenoiteMartin]

NES Forum warns about dangerous consequences that the SNA-SDF fighting occurring near the Tishreen dam could have on the viability of the infrastructure.

https://t.co/FScr58lmSX

[Benoite Martin @BenoiteMartin]

If you are interested in covering the situation in Sheikh Maqsoud, Manbij, Kobane or Deirezzor, send me a message, I can connect you further with relevant (cvivil society) contacts on the ground.

[Benoite Martin @BenoiteMartin]

Int. orgs are quickly organizing to identify priorities to respond to new events in Syria but threats and impacts of rapid SNA control over SDF areas are ignored. Displacement and protection needs of populations of Sheikh Maqsoud, Tel Rifaat, Manbij, Deirezzor must be discussed.

[Benoite Martin @BenoiteMartin]

One of the sweetest message I received after the fall of Assad : Welcome to Free Syria 💚

[Benoite Martin @BenoiteMartin]

SDF has lost significant ground in past days, they were pushed out of Tel Rifaat and Manbij. This poses a threat to kurdish communities who fled from these areas towards the Northeast. Will turkish backed armed groups seek to grab more ground from SDF? Can Kobane be under threat?

[Benoite Martin @BenoiteMartin]

Deirezzor has seen a few dark days with every group wanting a piece of it: SDF, then SNA and then HTS. I understand SDF withdrew from the city yesterday night.

[Benoite Martin @BenoiteMartin]

Syria is free. All Syrians are celebrating the end of the tyrannical rule of Assad . But do not forget about Syrians in Aleppo, Tel Rifaat, Manbij, Deirezzor and other areas who continue to live a nightmare due to the tensed situation and armed fighting.

[Benoite Martin @BenoiteMartin]

I've watched the last days events in Syria with disbelief and its slowly starting to kick-in. Assad is gone and it is time for a new Syria.

[PAX for peace @PAXforpeace]

It is a historic day as Syrians are rejoicing the fall of the brutal Assad Regime. Today we celebrate freedom from tyranny. 100.000 mabrouk to all our Syrian friends and partners, who have so long dreamed and hoped for this day!

[Benoite Martin @BenoiteMartin]

Its historic moments unfolding in Syria. We dare to dream again that freedom, dignity and equality to all Syrians can really happen as the doors of Damascus are about to open.